How Do I Choose the Best Tyre for My Car?
You probably don’t give much thought to your vehicle’s tyres until there’s a problem and one or more of them needs replacing. But how do you decide which tyres to choose when there’s such a huge choice available?
Here at Protyre, we’re able to offer our customers a huge choice of tyres, whether you drive a small city car, an SUV, a sports car or anything in between, so whether you prefer two wheels or four, here’s our handy guide to tyre buying. And if it all seems too complicated, or you’re simply not sure which tyre is best suited to your needs, our friendly and helpful team will be more than happy to point you in the right direction.
What Size of Tyre?
On the sidewall of your tyres you’ll find a series of numbers and letters that tell you the size of the tyre, along with other important information. This information can also be found in your vehicle’s handbook, but it’s helpful to know what the numbers mean.
For example, if the numbers on your current tyre are 205/55 R16 91W, this can be broken down as follows:
The first number - 205 - gives the width of the tyre in mm. The next number - 55 - is the aspect ratio, giving the width of the sidewall as a percentage. R denotes that it is a radial, whilst the number that follows - 16 - is the diameter of the wheel in inches. The final numbers provide the load index, and the letter relates to the top speed that the tyre can be exposed to.
So now you know the size of tyre that you need, but there are other factors to be taken into consideration too, such as the time of year, the types of road that you drive on and your driving style, as well as your average annual mileage. All of these factors have an impact on the overall life of your tyres, so getting it right could save you money in the long run.
Winter, Summer or All-Season Tyres?
The majority of cars in the UK are fitted with summer tyres as standard, which makes them suitable for mild climates with a fair amount of rain. However, if you do a lot of driving in wintry conditions, it’s well worth investing in winter tyres too and swapping them over with the seasons.
Alternatively, you could choose all-season tyres, which aim to give you the best of both worlds - do bear in mind, though, that these will not give the same performance and road holding as dedicated seasonal tyres.
Budget or Premium?
With tyres, as with so many things in life, you get what you pay for. Budget tyres are fit for purpose but won’t last as long as premium tyres, which are made from stronger and more long-lasting compounds, but if you drive a little city runabout on short journeys, budget tyres may fit the bill perfectly.
Run-Flat Tyres
Run-flat tyres can be invaluable if you have a puncture, allowing you to continue your journey at reduced speeds until you can get to a garage, but if you choose this option it must be used on all your vehicle’s wheels.
We Can Help You Choose The Right Tyre
Tyres are essential for keeping your car safe and performing at its best, but with so many options out there, it can be tough to know where to start. That's where our informative articles come in – we're here to help you navigate the world of tyres and make the best choice for your specific needs.
Whether you're considering upgrading to Premium car tyres for enhanced driving dynamics, run flat car tyres for added peace of mind, or trying to decide between summer car tyres and winter car tyres, Protyre can help. Our articles have got you covered with a wide range of tyre-related topics to help you make informed decisions.
The brand you choose matters too. We offer recommendations for trusted names such as BF Goodrich tyres, Bridgestone tyres, Continental tyres, Dunlop tyres, Falken tyres, General tyres, Goodyear tyres, GT Radial tyres , Hankook tyres, Michelin tyres, Pirelli tyres, Runway tyres, Sumitomo tyres, and Toyo tyres. But our articles don't just focus on choosing the right tyres – we also offer practical advice for maintaining them. From simple tips like checking your tread depth and keeping your tyres inflated to the proper pressure, to more advanced topics like extending tyre life through regular rotation and balancing - we've got you covered!
Dive in and discover everything you need to know to keep your car running smoothly and safely with Protyre.